Life with my sister

What a time of reflection the new year brings to us. "Bye, Felicia" was the most overused hastag and witty comeback I have ever typed with my short little fingertips. I don't know Felicia, but that poor girl needs a welcome basket or a party invitation in 2018. Every 365 days we get a do over . A cold, brisk try again awaits us as the calendar strikes day one. I am quite fond of this slow and cold time of year. It is when I met and fell in love with my husband . I love the newness and stillness that comes with the brand new year. As wild as it sounds, winter is my favorite time of year. You know, some years are just plain crazier than others and 2017 was every bit of that. It was my best professional year ever and one of my worst on a personal level. I just plain bombed life as mom and wife. Taking on too many good things that were not my best yes caused me to stink up my reign as queen bee of the Lee 3. I can blame it on a lot of distraction and things not fitting...

9 years ago today I said "I do" to my Randall. I always loved this picture. It is in a little frame on my bedside table. It was taken in the brides room after the ceremony. I remember Mama and Mawmaw being afraid we might run off into a broom closet before the reception! We were so excited to finally be married, if you know what I mean! ha. I really like the Aqua Net can in the background the best. All good southern girls use Aqua Net for their 'dos. This is possibly the most priceless photo I have in my album. Because I share this blog with my favorite sister, I thought it was finally time to show this little snapshot of us. I was taking my photos before the ceremony and feared I forgot my deodorant so like any good sister, Jules applied for me. There are too many reasons why I love this girl, just sayin! Wasn't she beautiful in that dress. I loved my wedding. It was perfect. This was our first Christmas card photo. If you are familiar with our annual card, you kno...

10 years ago tonight I looked into Randall's blue eyes for the first time at the back door of my cousin Hollye's home in Memphis. A blind date set up by Julie and my mother-in-love (click here for Julie's refelction on the arrangement). For that date I am forever grateful. I did not want to go, thought my sister had lost her mind and was crushing on another boy. Boy, boy, boy...did I ever change my course when I looked into those blue eyes standing at Hollye's backdoor! (The night of our engagement) Well I lost my heart on the day we met But I gained a lot that I don't regret (one of our favorite engagement photos) Then I hung around til you said 'I do' Knew I wouldn't have nothin if I didn't have youWell, it changed my thinking when you changed your name Neither one of us will ever be the same And I swear I'm never gonna be untrue Cuz I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you (5 year anniversary in Cancun) If I didn't have you I...

"I have found the one whom my soul loves" Song of Solomon 3:4 Eight years ago today I married the only man I have ever given my heart to (besides Jesus, of course). I feel incredibly blessed to have only loved one man. There were many years I waited impatiently on my man, and thought the wise women in my life were full of bologna when they told me God was sparing my heart for one wonderful catch. Indeed, they were right. The best part about the whole deal is that I am also the only woman he has ever loved. So, I'm extra incredibly blessed to have this sweet man's whole heart without any missing pieces. I laugh at how things have changed in our eight years. From our tiny little one bedroom apartment in East Memphis, to our first house in Byhalia, to our current home in Jonesboro where we have started our family, love has been the theme in all these special places over the past eight years. In these eight years we have been through many career moves, vehicles, magazine...

I've decided to tell you a story. She was 12. A boy she knew rode his bike in front of her house while she stood outside. He yelled, " will you go with me?" She yelled, "no" and ran into her house. She was 15. A boy she knew from church and school became her friend. She was 16. A boy she knew asks her out on a date. She says, "no!" (she is dating someone else.) This scene plays out again and again for the next two years. He leaves town to go to college. She stays home. She spends time with him at church activities during the summers. He sets her up on a blind date with a friend of his one summer. She picked up his girlfriend and the blind date and they drove across the state together to see him and attend a concert. He began sending her letters and spending time with her when she was in town. He kissed her at a New Year's Eve party they hosted. She became involved in a serious relationship. He was also in a relationship. She felt the Lord lead her...

I love this girl. This is Julie's youngest, Anna. She makes me smile. Today I was reminded what a blessing she is to our crew. Julie told her to tell me what she wanted for Christmas and she got out the toy catalog and went to town! That made me laugh because her brothers just spouted off a few things and went on their way. I love that she took her time and went to the wishing well, so to speak. Nothing like a toy catalog when you are a little girl! So, she picked out an expensive toy and showed it to Julie. Julie told her it was too expensive. She then responded, "It is ONLY $59.98!" Oh, to be wide-eyed, innocent and have no concept of money. I am thankful for this encounter today. What a wonderful reminder of how sweet innocence is! I am thankful for this mess upstairs in our craft room/office. It means we are 2 weeks away from having a 1st birthday celebration for our sweet Henry Patton. It means we survived a year of late night, early mornings and learning how to pa...

My wedding was a beautiful day. I love reflecting on it each year on this day. My dress was one of my most favorite things about the day. I still want to put it on and twirl in it but it won't zip, of course. The dress was fun, simple, comfortable, elegant and had the best story that went with it. Julie and I bought that dress one day while having a little mourning shopping trip in LR after my grandmother died in late Winter 2002. Randall and I had been dating for almost 3 months. No one knew we were trying on dresses and no one would have ever dreamed we were for real going to buy one until we called mother from the store to get her permission. I think Kathy had a mild heart attack and I think everyone in the west and central part of the state heard her yell at me over the phone. She made us fax her a picture of the dress from the store for approval. She then told me (all by phone) that it was my dress. I had to wear it no matter who I married. She then told Julie to take it home...

Yesterday Stephen and I celebrated our 16 th engagement anniversary. The year he proposed, Valentines Day was on a Sunday, so he proposed on Saturday night the 13 th . We went to a nice restaurant (that is no longer around.) I was dressed in my most figure flattering dress and heels. The restaurant was packed with people all around us, but we didn't mind at all. We were in love. When we were finished eating, but I don't think my rainbow trout dinner had been cleared yet, Stephen handed me my Bible. I knew he had it with him when we walked into the restaurant, and I thought it was very strange but remember I was "in love". So he hands me my Bible, turned to one of the blank pages in the front. He had written his marriage proposal in my Bible. It was based on James 1:2-6. It was our favorite passage at the time. It talks of being joyful in the trials we face, and that through those trials we gain patience and wisdom and that he wanted us to do all that together. So sw...

So sorry about the picture quality. I need to work with my scanner just a bit more. We have just endured,lovingly, The Week of Love, with Abby and Randall. What Abby failed to mention was my part of the whole relationship. So, I will take this opportunity to let you know my part of the story. The picture above was Moving Day 2001. Samuel was 4, and the twins were 6 months. No one was happy about having to get up and move to a new house this day. God had guided us through a most difficult time and we were looking forward to starting a new adventure in a new place. Stephen had been called to be Pastor at a church in Augusta. This was his first pastorate. He had been in the ministry for 8 years but had never been the Sr. Pastor. We met many people and everyone made us feel welcome. A lady wanted to help me repaint and wallpaper some rooms in the house. I was all for that! So, we named a day and time and set out to paint the bathroom. As we were both in the bathtub trying to sand and get ...

I believe we both had tears in our eyes...love it! Our Wedding Party Tim, Sarah, Ben, Julie, Me, Randall, Melissa, Rick, Lindsey, Zach, Hollye, Caly, Samuel, Matthew Beginning this journey together I love that song. Our friend Paige played it on the piano and sang it at our wedding. Today I have been married to RWL for 6 years. I am so thankful God gave him to me. He keeps me level (or at least tries), loves me for who I am, reminds me of my dreams and goals when I loose sight of them, provides a wonderful life for me and makes me laugh about simple things. I could go on and on, but today those are the things I am most thankful for. We spent the weekend with friends in north Mississippi and ate lunch with Daddy & Connie on the way home today. Tonight we will do the anniversary tradition - watch our wedding video, look through the two wedding albums, drink a fruity drink through a straw together and laugh at it all. What a full and fun 6 years it has been for us! Abby

The Kissing Bandit This is the beginning of Love Month for us. I know, it is cheesy, but I am cheesy! The Kissing Bandit has been part of Love Month since 2002, when Randall and I fell in love. Last year the Bandit was not able to hold air. We blew him up for 6 years...yes, the same balloon for 6 years! I took it to random florists, Walgreen's, etc and begged for helium. It is too fragile to hold air anymore. This picture was taken during his last year with us in 2007. In order to get it aired up that year I had to buy a balloon at the flower shop...so I tied it to its arm. You do what you have to do! Here is the history of the Kissing Bandit: Randall came to my cousin Hollye's backdoor V-Day of 2002 with this balloon in front of his face and body. It scared the pee-waddling out of me, at first glance. Claire Allyn was only 1 year at this time and it was taller than she was. It walked on the floor as the air hit it. She was scared to death, as you can imagine. We took it acros...

Right... this is not actually the happy couple. Though, Sassy's hair can do a fab' beehive! Mrs. Carolyn and Skip were married 50 years ago today. Congrats to the two of you lovebirds. You have come along way from the farm. Here's to 50 more! Abby

As you know from reading this, my life is in the heat of transition. Thank goodness My Rand is here to walk with me as God leads us on the wildest journey we have been on in our six years together. To many, my Rand comes across as reserved and a tad bit jaded...and maybe sarcastic. Let me tell ya, it is all an act. For those of you who really know him, you know he is never short on humor. He is also very sensitive to others needs, aware, intelligent, disciplined, not afraid to break a sweat, most loving, convicted, and the best money manger I know. I am always in the bed before him each night catching a quick read. When he comes to bed, he checks his alarm 2 times. On the 2nd time, he leaves whatever song is on the station (it is hip-hop music, most of the time) and turns it up and then we have Dance Party . We see who can dance the fastest and the best. It is hilarious and it usually results in someone running into one of the 4 posters or knocking a knee on the side frame of the bed. ...

The 5th anniv. is the year for wood. I always crack up at the traditional anniversary gift list. Rand knew I was making fun of the ideas on the internet for wood related gifts. My favorite idea was a bonsai tree. How sweet, romantic and practical is that?! Oh my. Well, my Rand came home yesterday afternoon full of excitement with this piece of wood he had painted blue. He read that blue was the color for the 5th anniversary. What a dear heart! We did end up purchasing a wood plaque with an Abe Lincoln quote on it last night for our gift to each other. Rand was going to try and claim the wood/marble table he bought me at Christmas as the wood related gift. Not a chance buckaroo! The painted blue wood idea was awfully cute though. Yes, Anniversary week has now come to an end...we can all move ahead to Valentine's Day! Abby

I promise...this is the last cheesy anniversary post. I can't help it...I love my Rand! Abby

My favorite wedding picture - Rand has it on his nightstand Five years ago this week, I married my Randall. I am always so excited when this special date rolls around. We have the best love story and everyday the story gets better. Sometimes it feels like we have been married forever and other days it seems like it was just yesterday that he showed up at my cousin Hollye's back door with his beautiful blue eyes for the blind date my dear sister arranged for us. If I only knew then what that blind date had in store...wow! I am so glad it has lead me on this incredible life journey with my Rand. We got married on a beautiful winter day that ended under a wonderful blanket of snow. It was perfect. I loved being a bride. I often tell people I would have been a bride forever if they would have let me! I think those closest to me were glad to see my bridal days come to an end. I milked it really good. The past five years have been full of precious memories. The little things are what ma...

Update on my earlier post: I made the decision to delete the post about the walk in the park. I know how widespread this blog network is and I would hate to step on anyone's toes or cause anymore heartache for those poor people involved in this moral dilema. My Mama gave me some good advice today - "We can't dictate the morals of other people." She is so very right. Rand and I are are so glad this is not our drama anymore. Like I tell my friends and co-workers, "Save yo drama fo yo Mama!" Rand and I head out for East Texas this Thursday to love on my Mawmaw & UD and my Mama. We are celebrating birthdays this weekend. I am making my Mama one of my Signature A Cakes (This is what I am going to call my cakes for now until I come up with something more clever). I will share pics next week when we return! Abby

I know I promised 14 reasons why I'm glad I'm married, but I just can't come up with anything cutesy, like I wanted to. I can come up with plenty of reasons: Samuel, Daniel, David, Anna Kathryn, a life-long companion, in-laws, love, etc... Maybe when I get some time to just sit, and think about it I will come up with something cute, until then, if you are married, send me some of your reasons why you love being married!! One of our youth from our first church got married a couple of weekends ago. She isn't the first one to get married by any means, but it did make me think about the example I set for others. I hope when people look at my marriage they see love, commitment, fun, satisfaction, forgiveness, compromise, and a host of other good things. God ordained marriage. I know there are people that don't agree with me and how I "do" marriage, but I try to be submissive, loving, kind, I try to do what is best for my family, and sometimes the submissive par...